Professor João Paulo Borin took office, this Thursday (14), as the new director of the Faculty of Physical Education (FEF) at Unicamp. His colleague Laurita Marconi Schiavon assumed the associate directorship of the unit. They will hold the positions for the four-year period 2026-2030. The transition ceremony was presided over by the rector, Paulo Cesar Montagner, and was attended by the University's general coordinator, Fernando Coelho, directors of other faculties, teachers, students and family members. The event also marked the farewell of Odilon José Roble from the position.
The ceremony was marked by the appreciation of FEF's trajectory, the defense of public universities, and the recognition of the strategic role of physical education in contemporary society. Montagner highlighted that the ceremony represented "the continuity and renewal" of university life, reaffirming collective commitments to the production of knowledge, academic training, and social transformation.
The rector also pointed out that FEF has consolidated its role over the decades as a benchmark in the training of professionals, researchers, and teachers, expanding its reach beyond academic spaces, with a presence in schools, hospitals, clubs, public policies, social projects, and health programs throughout the country. Montagner also emphasized the changes that the field of physical education has undergone. According to him, the field has ceased to be seen in a limited way and now occupies a strategic position in discussions about health, population aging, rehabilitation, mental health, and human performance. "FEF unites tradition and renewal, scientific rigor and social sensitivity," he said.
Coordinator Coelho highlighted the administrative continuity of the unit and the impact of the faculty on the academic, scientific, and sporting development of the country. Another point mentioned was the unit's role in training professionals linked to Paralympic sports. The general coordinator recalled that many of the specialists involved in the administration and policies of Brazilian Paralympic sports have passed through FEF, highlighting the institution's relevance to a sector considered a source of pride. "Despite being relatively young, founded in 1985, the Faculty of Physical Education has already demonstrated academic maturity and institutional commitment," he commented.
collective construction
During his inauguration speech, the new director reinforced his commitment to strengthening collective management, expanding internal dialogue, and maintaining unity at the forefront of scientific production and academic training. “No management is built individually. Respect, continuous learning, and transparency will be the principles that guide our administration,” stated Borin, who began his journey at FEF in 1992 as a student in the specialization course in Sports Science.
Associate Director Laurita Schiavon emphasized the importance of having a woman once again on the faculty's board. “It’s an important and necessary move. Being this woman is an enormous responsibility. I bring this commitment to represent the many women who work with me and those who came before, taking the first steps,” she said gratefully. “Together with Professor João Paulo Borin, we will continue the competent management of FEF. We have a shared history with the University; we were both athletes and sports coaches, roles where planning is crucial. So, we intend to excel in this area, in addition to respect for the collective, impartiality in processes, transparency in criteria, and a permanent commitment to academic and administrative quality,” added Schiavon, who was an undergraduate student at FEF in the 1990s and a postgraduate student in the early 2000s.
Fogo
In his farewell speech, Odilon Roble highlighted the trajectory of the administration and used sporting and Greek mythology references to symbolize the end of his term and the transition to the new leadership. “The moment now is to pass the torch and keep this fire burning. And this fire is not mine, but belongs to everyone in this room,” he said, emphasizing the collective spirit of FEF and the commitment to institutional continuity.
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